WHO Executive Board opens today to discuss priority topics, including health emergencies, antimicrobial resistance, climate change, and universal health – PAHO/WHO

Geneva, Switzerland, January 22, 2023 (PAHO) – The 154th session of the Executive Board of the World Health Organization (WHO) began today in Geneva, Switzerland. During the week, Board members will discuss more than 40 health topics, including the 14th WHO General Program of Work (14th GWP); prevention, preparation and response to health emergencies; accelerate national and global responses to antimicrobial resistance (AMR); and the impact of climate change on health, among other priority topics.

During his opening remarks, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the Organization’s achievements in 2023, including the end of COVID-19 and mpox as global health emergencies. He also highlighted the challenges of the past year, such as preventable illnesses and deaths, and an increase in conflicts and disasters.

Dr Tedros also stated that “2024 will be a decisive year for global health”, with opportunities for Member States to “shape the global global health strategy for the next four years at GPW 14” and “shape the future of health emergencies”. through the pandemic agreement and amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR).”

On the first day of the Executive Council, an informal briefing was held on processes related to the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) to draft and negotiate a WHO convention, agreement or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. and the Working Group. on Amendments to the International Health Regulations (WHIHR). This briefing provided Executive Board members with an update on this work, as well as an opportunity for questions and answers.

During the week, the Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and WHO Regional Director for the Americas, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, will participate in sessions on a series of priority topics for the region, including climate change and health, and antimicrobials. endurance.

Dr. Barbosa will also present the report of the WHO Regional Committee for the Americas, which was held from September 25 to 29 in Washington DC

The policies approved during the Committee included one to strengthen the health workforce; a policy for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases among children, adolescents and young people; and a policy to improve mental health, among others.

The Executive Board will meet from January 22 to 27 at WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The sessions can be followed live here.

The WHO Executive Board is composed of 34 technically qualified members elected for three-year terms. The main functions of the Council are to implement the decisions and policies of the Health Assembly and to advise and facilitate its work. The current Board is composed of six Member States from the Americas: Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Paraguay, Peru and the United States.